Trust

Today was the second time that I've been with my sweet one-year-old granddaughter and felt like I've betrayed her! The first time, she had to have blood drawn and was absolutely stunned and confused that her mother and I let it happen to her. She cried and cried, sobbed actually.

This time she just got a shot - one of the many required vaccinations for little ones. When they put her down onto the table - she knew - she just knew it wasn't going to be good. She looked at Mom and then looked at me (Granna) and cried. The nurse gave her the shot and put on the band-aid and Granna scooped the little crying girl up and over to the window to look at the CARS! Voila! It worked. 

That's when I started thinking about trust. There is nothing like having a little baby around to remind you how much we rely on each other. A little baby sure couldn't last long without its parents to care for it. Children start out trusting without even knowing that they do. It's only when they get a little older that they realize how much that mom or dad means to them and that they sure need that person. 

My daughter-in-law, Melba, and I were talking about families and how I've always wanted to have my whole family on one street - they on the other hand - have found that a little horrifying! Melba said that much of her extended family all live on one street down in Mexico! How wonderful. Sure there could be disagreements, but how much LOVE! 

I know that not everybody has love in their family - I'm always sad when I learn that - but if you do - wouldn't it be great to all be together for the love, support, and trust.

LauraBeth

Raindrops on . . .

We've had much needed rain recently. I love the rain when we don't get much of it. It's doesn't seem to rule my life that way. Don't forget to take an umbrella . . . it might rain . . . I don't want my hair to get wet . . . Why Not???

I sat out on the back porch and the air was cool from the rain and I just rocked and daydreamed. I read recently that we don't daydream enough these days, and our children certainly don't daydream enough. It seems like every minute of their lives must be scheduled.  

When I was a child, I loved being able to ride my bike off somewhere in the neighborhood and know that my mother had no idea where I was (although now I think that she probably did know). But the feeling of aloneness and power and control, was a heady rush for an eight year old. 

When I was 10 and we moved to France, some of that freedom was taken away. We were among wonderful people, but we didn't speak their language yet, so Mama was more cautious. However, we lived in a huge, old house with a huge, huge yard that had walls all around it and so we "had the run of the yard" and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was sort of like a fairy tale. 

LauraBeth

Breathing

The first time I really learned to breathe is when my first child was born. Back in 1977 childbirth classes were just beginning to become vogue. I wanted to have my children by natural childbirth - so I took the childbirth classes! 

Well, my little girl surprised us and barreled her way into the world early - three weeks early. I had only been to three of the six classes, the last three the most important -- Do Not Miss Them -- classes! I had only learned "first gear" breathing. Breathe in through your nose slowly, while focusing on a point beyond your nose, breathe out through your mouth slowly, while still focusing on that same point. We had even practiced it quite a bit for which I am eternally grateful. With 36 hours of sweet, natural labor, that breathing thing really came in handy.

Recently my husband and I began taking Yoga classes. Once again I learned the importance of breathing. Apparently we are all rushing through life, seldom taking the time to sniff let alone smell, the roses - and therefore we don't breathe in the correct manner. Shallow breathing, the kind that starts small and fast, and then ends up with hyperventilation - that's what we mostly do. 

So next time you feel stressed, breathe. Breathe deeply into your stomach, not your chest, and breathe slowly. Count in to four and then let your breathe out to the count of five. 

Try it. It sure helped me -- at least a couple of times!